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Simulation and Modeling at CONSAD

Simulation and modeling at CONSAD support the needs of those customers for whom policy analysis, assisted by the development of customized analytic tools and/or software, creates inventive and insightful programming and software products. Several different examples of CONSAD's work in this arena are described below.

Application Software

CONSAD, in conjunction with the Center for Organ Procurement and Recovery (CORE) has completed the development of support software for organ procurement organizations (OPO). The Procurement and Recovery Information System (PARIS) provides a flexible environment for the OPO staff to accurately enter, verify, and extract information about donor referrals, organ donors and recipients. PARIS provides OPOs with the capability to monitor organ donation, procurement, and distribution activities. The system provides for the rapid exchange of information with procurement hospitals, transplantation centers, OPO management, medical researchers, UNOS, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CONSAD's partner, CORE, is the OPO for the Pittsburgh and West Virginia region. The PARIS system was created using the Borland DELPHI software development environment for Windows.

CONSAD has also developed an analytic model for the National Federation of Independent Businesses Foundation that integrates industry specific analyses with a national econometric model – Regional Economics Models, Inc. (REMI) -- to enable a comprehensive examination of the impact of sectoral changes on the national economy. This model and the role it plays in providing constructive discussion of policy issues was profiled in the Washington Post.

Simulation Programs

Simulation and modeling programs are major tools supporting much of the analytical work that CONSAD performs. These programs are developed using a wide variety of platforms and programs appropriate for analytical objects and client needs.

Research into the impacts of alternative national liver transplantation allocation policies resulted in the development of a Monte Carlo computer simulation model. The model allows analysts to examine issues related to organ donation, organ allocation policy, geographic distribution of organs, and transplant center proficiency.

CONSAD, as a subcontractor to McDonnell Douglas, assisted in the design of a simulation model for making manpower and training decisions. Specifically, a computer-based decision support system was developed and Air Force managers were taught how to use the system in making manpower and training decisions. CONSAD had primary responsibility for developing procedures for estimating training costs and capacities. For that purpose, CONSAD devised methods to collect data and develop estimates of training capacities and costs for Air Force specialties. This study was performed for the U.S. Air Force within the Department of Defense.